Sansui SR-838
Vintage & classic turntables · 1978–? Discontinued
£500 typical UK used price
Sansui's quartz-servo direct-drive flagship of the late 70s, with a massive plinth, heavy platter and sophisticated damped arm. A statement piece from the golden age of Japanese turntable engineering.
The big Sansui collectors hunt — flagship 70s Japanese direct drive with the looks to match.
Who it suits
Best suited to: buyers comfortable assessing used condition and budgeting for servicing (drive mechanism, bearing, stylus). Less ideal for: a no-hassle purchase with a manufacturer warranty — buy a current model instead.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check servo lock, speed stability and motor noise (no belt to check on a direct-drive deck), plus the stylus regardless.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium, heavy |
| Tonearm | Sansui S-shaped arm with dynamic damping |
| Years | 1978–? |
Where to buy the Sansui SR-838
2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |
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